Neurologic Illness or Hysteria? A Mysterious Twitching Outbreak

"It began in 2011, a “mysterious illness” among teenage girls at the high school in Le Roy, New York (Figure 1) (Asztalos 2011). Six cases were reported, then twelve, then fifteen and counting as the story captured attention across the United States and beyond (“Doctors baffled” 2012). The story’s development included significant coverage on NBC’s Today show and CNN’s Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers. I twice visited Le Roy (just fifty miles from my office) on behalf of the Skeptical Inquirer, to talk with parents and others involved, visit relevant sites, and otherwise investigate this strange outbreak."